The Florence LadyCats huddle on the floor of the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis., during the WIAA state volleyball tournament Thursday. (Amanda Baker photo) 

Three Florence seniors ended their LadyCats playing careers Thursday at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis., as Florence fell to Wausau Catholic Newman in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal.

Ashlyn VanDenHeuvel, Sami Demuri and Ashley Peterson will be greatly missed said Florence coach Teresa Chrisman.

“They were our leaders and captains all year and they fulfilled a dream.” Chrisman said. “Not many seniors have the opportunity to end their playing careers at the Resch Center and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” 

Newman, in pursuit of its 5th state title, made its third straight semifinal appearance. Florence, one of just four schools out of 101 in Division 5 to reach the state tournament, was making its first appearance.

Camille Sobolewski played a huge role in Newman’s 25-12, 25-23, 25-23 victory.

“She had more kills than our whole team, notching 24,” Chrisman noted. “Even with that stat line, we absolutely hung in there.”

In the first set, the LadyCats appeared to struggle adjusting to the big stage. “As a team we had 11 errors, to Newman only having three,” Chrisman said. “Because of Newman’s hitting, we just were on our heels and couldn’t get our middles involved, because we were just scrambling. We fought back and played them tight in the next two.”

Florence’s sophomores had an impressive outing. Kelsi Chrisman led with 10 kills, nine digs, eight assists and 100% serving. Miley VanDenHeuvel had 12 digs, 100% serving, three blocks and five kills. 

“I thought junior Naomi Millan had a great day digging up many of those Sobolewski kills with nine digs, a block, a kill and an ace,” coach Chrisman said. 

Florence’s other contributors included Demuri, three kills, nine assists, three digs; Ashlyn VanDenHeuvel three kills, an assist, two aces, two blocks, four digs; Peterson, six digs, and Emily Wolske, a block. 

Reaching the state tournament marks a breakthrough for the program.

“This has been a long time coming for Florence volleyball,” Chrisman said. “Former coaches Trudy Rochon and Joan Canfield helped start it and set the bar high. This whole experience has left our underclassmen even hungrier.” 

Top-seeded Newman was to face No. 3 Rib Lake — a team Florence defeated earlier this year — for the state title at 9 a.m. today. The crowd for the final, however, might be smaller than for the semifinal.

“Our fan section and community support outnumbered some schools in attendance in Division 1 and that isn’t an exaggeration,” Chrisman said. “It was just fantastic. We can’t say thank you enough, and it was just awesome for our school, pep band and community in general.”

Coach Chrisman also thanked assistants Stephanie Tomczak and Allison Krueger. “Wouldn’t be here without them,” she said. “A lot of logistics and time away from family comes with coaching and they’re great friends to boot.”